Syllabus and general information for MCS-388: Compiler Design (Spring 2014)

Overview

MCS-388 draws together the theory and practice of compiler
construction. Much of the material will have a strong theoretical
foundation. However, with the exception of the last couple topics
(due to time constraints), this material will also serve as the basis for
compiler-writing projects. Topics include lexical and syntactic
analysis, code generation, data-flow analysis, and optimization.

Office hours

I welcome visitors to my office (OHS 306)
on a drop-in basis
as well as
by appointment. You may send me electronic mail at max@gustavus.edu.

Prerequisites

MCS-388 draws heavily on MCS-265, MCS-287, and MCS-284. Some notions from MCS-375
and MCS-236 also crop up. You're expected to be able to program. Since
the compiler-building tools and pre-existing code modules I supply
will be centered around the Java programming language, the path of
least resistance will be to use that language. On the other hand, there are comparable
compiler-building tools centered around other languages,
so if you would rather use another language, that's
fine too; you'll just have less of a support network.
I'll gladly accept labs written in any programming language.

Labs

Some days, shown in the schedule, we will will work on lab projects
using laptop computers in our normal classroom. I expect each of you
to bring a computer. Let me know if you need to sign out one from the
department. Each lab assignment will generally require you to spend
additional time out of class.

Honor

You are expected to be familiar with the college academic honesty
honor code policy, and to comply with that policy.
If you have any questions about it, please ask.

In doing an assignment,
you may discuss the problems and their solutions with fellow students,
but you should make an effort to solve each problem on your own.
Give credit to the people and/or reading sources
that help you find the solutions,
be they fellow students, textbooks,
journals,
or internet postings.
Be explicit and acknowledge clearly what sort of help you received.
Failure to do so will be considered cheating.

Late assignments

All lab assignments are due at the beginning of class on
the day indicated. Late lab assignments will be penalized by one "grade
notch" (such as A to A- or A- to B+) for each weekday late or fraction
thereof.

If you are too sick to complete an assignment on time, you
will not be penalized. Simply label your assignment as late due to illness.
Other circumstances
will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Please see the separate homework
policy linked to the web version of this syllabus.

Grade changes

Please point out any arithmetic or clerical error I make in grading,
and I will gladly fix it. You may also request reconsideration if I
have been especially unjust.

Grading

I will provide you with a grade on each homework assignment and
lab assignment, in addition to the mid-term and final grades, so that
you may keep track of your performance. The homeworks
will contribute half of your final grade with the labs
contributing the other half. However, I reserve the right to
subjectively adjust your final grade. Please see me if you have any
question how you stand. Class participation is not graded; however,
it allows you to find and repair the gaps in your understanding before
doing the assignments and thus can dramatically improve your grade.
You are responsible for all course material, whether or not you are
present when it was covered or distributed.

Please see the separate homework
policy linked to the web version of this syllabus.

Style guidelines

All assignments should be readily readable and should
not presuppose that I already know what you are trying to say. Use
full English sentences
and clear diagrams, programs, etc. Remember that your goal is to
communicate clearly and that the appearance of these technical items
plays a role in this communication process. I encourage email
submission but will accept hardcopy assignments
that are stapled together and have your name on them.

Accessibility

Gustavus Adolphus College is committed to ensuring the full
participation of all students in its programs. If you have a
documented disability (or you think you may have a disability of any
nature) and, as a result, need reasonable academic accommodation to
participate in class, take tests or benefit from the College’s
services, then you should speak with the Disability Services staff
for a confidential discussion of your needs and appropriate
plans. Course requirements cannot be waived, but reasonable
accommodations may be provided based on disability documentation and
course outcomes. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively;
therefore, to maximize your academic success at Gustavus, please
contact Disability Services as early as
possible. Disability
Services is located in the Academic Support Center

Support for English Learners and Multilingual students is available
through the Academic Support Center and the English Learning
Specialist, Laura Lindell
(llindell@gustavus.edu or
x7197). If you fall into one of these categories, she can meet
individually with you for tutoring in writing, consulting about
academic tasks, and helping you connect with the College’s support
systems. In addition, you can seek help from peer tutors in the
Writing Center. Please let me know if there is any accommodation in
the course that would enable you to more fully show your abilities.

In the reading column, section 0 means the material at the beginning
of a chapter before the first section. Similarly, subsection 0 means the material at the beginning
of a section before the first subsection.

This is my best guess as to the rate at which we will cover material.
However, don't be shocked if I have to revise the schedule.